Smoking banned in Hillsboro parks

No butts about it, smokers will soon have to restrain their habit when visiting Hillsboro’s parks.

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve, on second reading, an ordinance to ban smoking and the use of any tobacco products within all city parks and recreational facilities. The new amendments to the Municipal Code apply not just to city-owned greenspaces and playgrounds, but also to all buildings, parking lots, playing fields, bleachers or other structures associated with the parks.

The ordinance takes effect Nov. 20 — 30 days after its passage and signing by Mayor Jerry Willey. Hillsboro will then join six other Oregon cities with similar complete bans on tobacco use on park property: Ashland, Bend, Corvallis, Newport, Sherwood and Grants Pass, according to the staff report provided by Parks and Recreation Management Analyst Ken Pipher. Nationwide, Pipher found almost 425 jurisdictions with similar bans. These include 97 in California and six in Washington state.

Corinne Bloomfield, community resources manager for the parks department, said the focus, beginning now, will be on educating park users. This will continue beyond the ordinance’s effective date.

The Hillsboro Parks Commission voted Aug. 25 to approve this change and refer it to the council. Under the existing municipal code language, smoking has been prohibited only on the artificial turf fields at the Hillsboro Stadium and the 53rd Avenue Park, leaving smokers free to light up in other areas.

During the first reading and vote on Oct. 6, council members held no debate on the smoking amendment. In fact, the text in the session’s agenda did not mention smoking or tobacco. It cited only “public parks and recreation; and safety and security” without further explanation.

During the public comment period, at meeting’s end, a citizen, by coincidence addressed the council to request a smoking ban. Then Mayor Willey explained council had already adopted one — that evening.

Tuesday’s situation was different. First, Pipher delivered his summary. Then Councilor Doug Johnson asked whether the Parks Commission had held discussions about setting aside specified areas within the larger parks where smoking might be allowed. “I know this is complicated,” Johnson said, but we would be not going all the way in one fell swoop.”

Pipher replied that some parks employees had also asked about the possibility of designated smoking areas, which would be available to them during work breaks.

Although this agenda item was not slated for public hearing, Mayor Willey allowed audience members to speak. Southwest Hillsboro resident Jim Feemster said it seemed like a waste of resources to have city staff checking to make sure no one smoked.

Both Councilors Johnson and Mike Castillo made statements that they believed the park rules would be largely self-enforcing. Most people would follow the law themselves, and, if not, other park goers would correct them.

In the end, the council opted to enact the ordinance as written and asked staff to research and return at a later date with a proposal for designated smoking areas.

Bloomfield said about 125 new, small signs announcing the smoking ban would be added below existing rules posted at Hillsboro parks and also near shelters and sports fields. The cost would be about $700.

This story appeared on page A1 of the Oct. 23, 2009 Hillsboro Argus. To subscribe to the Argus for less than $3.50 a month, click here.